IT & Cloud
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
Free AZ-104 practice questions 147 questions with full answer explanations. No sign-up. Start practice →Overview
The Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) certification validates that you can manage Azure identities, governance, storage, compute and virtual networks day to day. It is the core associate-level Azure credential for operations and administration roles.
The exam is hands-on in spirit: expect case studies and questions that mirror real administrative tasks. Microsoft role-based certifications expire after one year, but renewal is a free, online, open-book assessment.
✓ Who it is for
- System and cloud administrators working with Microsoft Azure
- IT operations staff in Microsoft-centric organisations
- Engineers in DACH and European enterprises where Azure is common
✕ Who it is not for
- Azure beginners - do AZ-900 Fundamentals first.
- AWS-only shops or roles.
- Those wanting a developer focus (look at AZ-204).
Exam structure
| Manage Azure identities and governance | 20–25% |
|---|---|
| Implement and manage storage | 15–20% |
| Deploy and manage Azure compute resources | 20–25% |
| Configure and manage virtual networking | 15–20% |
| Monitor and maintain Azure resources | 10–15% |
How the exam is weighted
- Manage identities & governance 20-25%
- Implement & manage storage 15-20%
- Deploy & manage compute resources 20-25%
- Implement & manage virtual networking 15-20%
- Monitor & maintain resources 10-15%
What each domain covers
- Manage identities & governance
- Microsoft Entra ID users & groups · RBAC & subscriptions · Policy & resource locks
- Implement & manage storage
- Storage accounts & access · Blob & file storage · Backup & redundancy
- Deploy & manage compute resources
- Virtual machines & scale sets · Containers & App Service · ARM/Bicep templates
- Implement & manage virtual networking
- VNets, subnets & peering · NSGs & routing · Load balancing & DNS
- Monitor & maintain resources
- Azure Monitor & alerts · Log Analytics · Backup & recovery
Realistic study time
- AZ-900 / some Azure 60-80 hours over 8 weeks
- New to Azure 100-130 hours
Bars show relative effort, not a guarantee. Your time depends on background and study method.
Turn this into a week-by-week schedule with the Study Plan Generator.
What it really costs
Fees change and vary by region. Confirm the current amount on the official site before you register.
Want your full out-of-pocket figure? Try the Cost Calculator.
Salary & career value
Indicative ranges for orientation only - not surveyed data, and not financial or career advice. Sources and date below.
Azure administrators in the US commonly report indicative pay around ~$80k-120k, with senior and architect-track roles higher. Aggregate sources vary widely (some averages mix in senior titles), so treat this as a typical mid-market band.
Pass rate: Not published. Microsoft does not release pass rates for its role-based certifications, including AZ-104. You need 700 / 1000 to pass; any pass-rate percentages online come from training providers, not Microsoft.
Indicative annual pay (USD), each role's typical band on a shared scale.
Other markets (indicative)
| United Kingdom | ~£40k-70k |
|---|---|
| Canada | ~CA$85k-120k |
Jobs that often ask for it:
- Azure Administrator
- Cloud Administrator
- Cloud Engineer
- Systems Administrator
- Cloud Support Engineer
Is it worth it?
Yes for administrators in Microsoft-heavy organisations, which are common across European and DACH enterprises and the public sector. AZ-104 is the core Azure operations credential, it maps directly to day-to-day admin tasks, and it is the natural prerequisite-in-spirit for the AZ-305 architect path. It is worth less if your employers run AWS-first, where an AWS associate certification carries more weight, or if you only need cloud literacy rather than hands-on administration (in which case AZ-900 is enough). Remember it expires yearly, though renewal is a free online assessment.
Not sure this is the right exam for you? Compare your options with the Exam Finder.
Compare AZ-104 with other exams
Independent, like-for-like comparisons to help you choose the right one.
Career paths featuring AZ-104
What to do next
AZ-104 is the core Azure ops cert; next is AZ-305 (Architect). Compare AWS SAA vs AZ-104 if you are picking a platform.
On exam day
Scheduled through Pearson VUE, at a centre or online. Microsoft exams can include interactive lab-style items as well as multiple-choice; check the current duration when you book.
Keeping your certification
Valid 1 year, but renewal is free: pass a short, unproctored online assessment on Microsoft Learn in the 6 months before it expires.
FAQ
- Is AZ-104 harder than AWS Solutions Architect Associate?
- They are a similar intermediate level. AZ-104 leans more toward hands-on administration; AWS SAA-C03 leans more toward architectural design and trade-offs.
- Do I need AZ-900 first?
- No. AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) is optional. AZ-104 has no prerequisites, though fundamentals help if you are new to Azure.
- Why does the certification expire after a year?
- Microsoft uses annual renewals to keep role-based certifications current. Renewal is free, online and open-book.
- Is AZ-104 worth it?
- Yes if you work with, or want to work with, Azure - it is the core Azure operations credential and widely requested in Microsoft-centric organisations and European enterprises.
- Can I self-study for AZ-104?
- Yes. The free Microsoft Learn path plus the official skills-measured guide and the free practice assessment cover it; hands-on time in an Azure account helps the lab-style items.
- What jobs can AZ-104 help me get?
- Azure administrator, cloud engineer and systems-engineer roles in Azure-using organisations. It is the natural step after AZ-900.
- How much does AZ-104 cost in total?
- The exam is around US$165 (varies by country). Microsoft Learn materials are free, and renewal is a free online assessment each year.
Related exams
- AWS Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) - Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) - Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Free study resources
- Microsoft Learn free AZ-104 path ↗
- AZ-104 skills measured and free practice ↗
- freeCodeCamp free full-length courses ↗